Lymphedema, an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissue that causes swelling, can be a side effect of surgery, infection, injury, or radiation therapy. Often, the swelling is dramatic and can be life-threatening without treatment. For instance, in breast cancer patients, it can occur in the arms. Similarly, a man being treated with radiation for prostate cancer may get lymphedema in the legs. A lifelong disease with no cure, physical therapy is a cornerstone of treatment.

Techniques to treat lymphedema are intended to reduce the swelling and reopen the lymphatic pathways. These include manual therapies in which a physical therapist re-directs fluid out of a limb, followed by compression bandaging and exercise to help keep fluid out.

Inadequate wound healing is a problem especially prevalent in the older population and among people with diabetes. Physical therapy for wound healing includes using techniques like electrical stimulation.

Albany Med’s outpatient physical therapy service is located at 618 Central Avenue. It employs six physical therapists and two physical therapy assistants who treat a range of problems including orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, and back and neck problems. The service is open Monday-Thursday from 7am-7pm and Fridays from 7am-3:30pm. To make an appointment, call 262-9700.

Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center. It consists of Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital, and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc. Additional information about Albany Medical Center can be found at www.amc.edu.